“If Rafael Nadal plays Roger Federer, everyone watches; if Nadal plays the number 80 in the world, nobody watches,” says ESL chairman, Florentino Perez
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Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid came into the limelight this week, after he co-founded the European Super League. His move to disrupt the regular football schedule, was criticized by UEFA and several fans around the world. Perez, who is the chairman of the ESL, promised that the 15 founding members would receive a sum of 200-300 million euros each at the end of the season.
Many football pundits and fans claimed that this was a move made to favor the rich clubs, whereas, the poor clubs would continue to suffer. However, Florentino Perez justified his decision his decision in a recent interview with El Larguero. The Real Madrid president gave a weird analogy, comparing Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer matches with those of the European Super League.
“Now the rich lose a lot of money and they will stop being rich,” Perez explained. “This is a pyramid; if there is money at the top, the pyramid is going down and there is money for everyone. If there is no money at the top…(there is no money for the bottom). If Nadal plays Federer, everyone watches; if Nadal plays the number 80 in the world, nobody watches,” the 74-year old added.
You have to do Federer – Nadal matches every Tuesday and Wednesday: Florentino Perez
Florentino Perez believes that watching the best teams compete against each other every Tuesday and Wednesday, would be great for the fans and the sport, in general. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal is one of the most celebrated rivalries in tennis, but the duo have clashed against each other just 40 times in the past 16 years. However, it is the rarity of matches that adds spice to this incredible match-up.
“Football is maintained by the biggest clubs – it always has been,” Perez added. “Cristiano vs Messi was great, not just for Madrid and Barca, but for Spanish football, and football in general. The money comes from where there is competition, and there are games where there is no competition. You have to do Federer – Nadal matches every Tuesday and Wednesday,” he continued.
Rafael Nadal shied away from commenting on the formation of the European Super League, and stated that he did not have much knowledge on the topic. “Sorry, but I don’t have a clear opinion,” Rafael Nadal said. “Something has been announced that is not 100 percent clear and I would not like to take false steps when it comes to commenting,” the Spaniard added.
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